It is quite possible that a mono cartridge will damage not only a Stereo record, but also a mono record that was cut with a Stereo cutting head. I opted for a Mono Cartridge with some vertical compliance as most of my Mono records are late 50's, early 60's or reissues and it is quite likely the majority were cut with a Stereo cutting head. For these equalisation is also not really a problem as most record labels had moved to RIAA by the start of the 60's after RIAA equalisation was introduced around 1954. I think most modern Mono cartridges have a least some vertical compliance but the otherwise excellent Miyajima range for instance do not so worth checking. I do know of one person who has used a Miyajima on stereo head cuts and he claims without any damage.
In my case I opted for a Ortofon Cadenza Mono as a it is good tonal match for my Stereo Cadenza Bronze and as it has some vertical compliance as I did not want to risk record damage. Some claim that Mono Cartridges with no vertical compliance give even better sound and suppress even more surface noise so if you are sure convinced all your Mono records are prior Stereo cutting heads then they may be the best choice. I still think a good proper mono cartridge even with vertical compliance is a real step up in sound quality from a stereo cartridge switched to mono or a cartridge only strapped to mono.
Hi Jim..
Cadenza Mono is very nice...a different league though..
What deck & arm do you use it in ?
I don't think you can damage a mono pressing that has been cut with a stereo cutting head.
The stereo cutting heads were used bc no innovations were going into mono cutting heads anymore,
and second..mono cutting heads were no more available.
So, paradoxially...bc stereo cutting heads were improved in terms of lower distortion and many other factors,
the stereo heads made better mono pressings.
https://pure-analogue.com/the-cutting-lathe/
I quote from the above:
'This happens for reasons of compatibility with commercially available cartridges, but also because mono cutter heads are practically no longer existent.
Therefore, no special mono cartridges are necessary. Still, they are quite practical, because with a mono needle, the record’s inherent surface noise is substantially reduced.'
So, definitely no harm playing a stereo-head cut mono pressing with a mono cart..in the contrary.
No reason to break your head about if the pressing was cut with a Neumann 80 stereo head or whatever else...your Cadenza Mono is always the best way to go..
..did I say that's a nice cart..?